When I was a kid, I made my dad a pencil sharpener in the shape of a baseball glove and baseball for Father’s Day. Knowing this, you’d think my dad was a big baseball fan, right? Not so. In fact, I think this is the only baseball related item he has (and it still sits on his desk at the office, all these years later). I guess it’s the thought that counts, right?

While it may not be as charming to make something like this for Father’s Day as an adult (unless you’re an artist, then by all means), you can still get creative with your gift.

Help Him Improve His Space

Whether it’s his game room, workshop in the garage or a different room, giving him something to build out (or upgrade) that perfect sanctuary may be just the ticket to let him know you appreciate all he’s done for you over the years.

Odds are, you won’t be building out an entire room — that’d be a bit pricey for most people’s budget. So, whether you’re thinking of getting him a TV, new work bench or an old school pinball machine, you don’t want to blow your budget. (He probably wouldn’t be too impressed to hear you went into debt for him anyway, now would he?)

So what do you do when you want to get dear ol’ dad something nice for the house without overspending? Well, we have seven ways to save on improving his perfect zen space.

1. Hit up Pinterest

If you have strong craft skills, you can hit up Pinterest and find all types of creative ideas for do-it-yourself projects. All you’ll need are the supplies and some time — perhaps you and dad can do this together and it’s like two gifts in one.

2. Use Seasonal Sales to Your Advantage

Whether dad is a sports junkie or loves movie night, a flat-screen TV isn’t a bad option. And you may be able to find one that doesn’t come with a price tag that makes your eyes pop. While prices won’t fall as low as they do in December (when retailers are looking to clear out their stock for the year) plenty of retailers offer Father’s Day deals on TVs so it isn’t the worst time of year to buy one. Consider shopping at stores that offer price guarantees, so you can get a price match or refund if the television you buy goes on sale for less shortly after you get it. This is a good reason to hold onto your receipt (and check the terms for restrictions on these offers).

3. Look Online for Deals

Many retailers offer seasonal deals on their websites, which Sarah Hall Weaver, the digital content strategist for Eight Oh Two Digital Marketing Strategies pointed out are “often separate from the general sale or clearance pages, but can offer great savings and promotions on well-stocked items you’ve been eyeing.” Stores like Sears, Home Depot and Walmart have online Father’s Day gift pages separate from regular sales with promotions on great gifts like smart speakers, TVs and sports gear from Dad’s favorite team.

4. Don’t Forget About Free Shipping

Shoppers shouldn’t overlook free shipping, especially if it’s on a big ticket item that isn’t easy to transport to Dad anyway. “Take advantage of making that purchase when there are free shipping promotions, especially if it’s a sizable item that might otherwise come with hefty fees,” Hall Weaver said.

5. Don’t Wait to Buy Furniture

Time to replace his workout gear? Perhaps he needs a new patio set? You’re in luck — June is typically considered one of the most ideal times to buy furniture, along with indoor workout equipment and summer sports gear, according to Consumer Reports. Consider using that clearance time to your advantage. Pro tip: Make sure you measure the space before ordering furniture. It would be disappointing to have the movers show up with furniture that can’t make it through the doorway.

6. Use Rewards

Using any credit cards points you’ve racked up can help you save on any purchases. And if you pay with your rewards card, you can reap some benefits too. Just make sure you don’t overspend in hopes of racking up more rewards — carrying a balance means you’re likely to lose out on the perks of these cards because of interest charges. (Want to see how your credit card use is playing a role in your credit? Take a look at your free credit report snapshot on Credit.com.)

7. Stock the Fridge or Cooler

Get Dad a mini fridge for his space and fill it with a collection of his favorite snacks and beverages. Enhancing a room without a fridge? Fill a cooler instead.

Any one of these tips should help Dad spruce up his space, just in case he isn’t in the market for more homemade pencil sharpeners, adorable as they are.

Image: monkeybusinessimages

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.

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Brooke Niemeyer is the former Deputy Managing Editor – Syndication for Credit.com. She writes about a variety of personal finance topics, with work featured on ABC, CBS, TIME, The Huffington Post, MSN, FOX Business, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance and other publications. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was a reporter for NBC before joining the Credit.com team. You can follow her at @RNYBrooke.

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